The Finance Frontier 2026: Achraf Drid, CEO, XTB MENA

The Middle East is evolving from a source of capital into one of the world’s fastest-growing investment markets, fueled by smartphone penetration of more than 90% across much of the GCC, millions of first-time investors using digital platforms, and government initiatives to boost participation in capital markets as part of broader economic diversification efforts.

As a result, global fintech firms are increasingly positioning the region as a key growth market.

Among them is XTB, a Poland-founded investment platform listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange that has grown into one of Europe’s largest brokerages since its launch in 2005. Today, the company serves more than 1.7 million clients across multiple international markets, offering access to more than 6,300 financial instruments, including stocks, ETFs, forex, commodities, indices, and CFDs, alongside market insights, educational content, and multilingual customer support.

Its first Middle East entity was established in Dubai in 2021, and the company strengthened its regional presence in 2025 with the opening of its new office at Dubai World Trade Centre’s One Central. The expansion was supported by the renewal of the company’s Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) license and reflects its long-term commitment to the UAE’s evolving regulatory and investment landscape.

Steering XTB’s Middle East expansion is CEO Achraf Drid, who has focused on establishing the company’s regional presence by building local talent, strengthening regulatory and institutional partnerships, and expanding across the GCC.

Drid believes today’s MENA investors are more informed, connected, and ambitious than ever before. Once seen as the domain of seasoned market participants, investing is now attracting a new generation of young professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners looking to build long-term wealth through global markets.

“The biggest transformation has been in investors’ mindset. Investors are no longer asking, ‘How do I trade?’ They are asking, ‘How do I build a portfolio? How do I diversify internationally? How do I make better long-term financial decisions?’ That shift is incredibly encouraging because it reflects financial maturity rather than short-term speculation,” he explains.

According to Drid, XTB’s role is to support the evolution of investing in the region by combining technology, education, and a regulated investment environment. He believes the company’s competitive advantage no longer lies in offering the widest selection of financial instruments, but in helping clients make better-informed investment decisions through education, transparency, high-quality execution, and disciplined risk management.

“Access is an incredible achievement, but access alone is not enough,” he says. “Giving someone the ability to invest is only the first step. Helping them understand risk, diversification and long-term investing is where real value is created. As an industry, we still have significant work to do. Financial literacy should evolve alongside technology.

“For example, artificial intelligence will enhance the investing experience, but it should support investor decision-making rather than replace it.”

“That is why trust is built when clients understand what they are investing in, have transparent information and can rely on the platform during both calm and volatile markets.

“The companies that will define the next decade of investing are those that combine innovation with responsibility.”

That philosophy also shapes Drid’s view of regulation, as he considers it an essential driver of trust and long-term growth.

“I have always believed that regulation is an advantage, not an obstacle,” he says. “Strong regulation creates confidence among investors, partners, and institutions. Sustainable growth comes from building trust rather than chasing short-term opportunities.

“That is exactly why the UAE has created one of the world’s most attractive environments for regulated fintech companies by combining innovation with regulatory clarity.”

Looking ahead, Drid believes the future of investing will be defined not by the number of products a platform offers, but by its ability to help clients navigate increasingly complex markets with confidence.

“The future belongs to platforms that combine world-class technology with education, transparency, and a long-term commitment to helping clients build wealth responsibly,” he says.

As a final piece of advice to investors across the region, Drid encourages them to look beyond short-term market movements and focus instead on building lasting wealth through discipline and patience.

“If I had to choose one quality regional investors need more of, it would be long-term thinking. Markets create opportunities every day, but wealth is built through discipline, consistency, and patience—not through chasing the next trend.”